Liberty Lake police investigate car theft
A couple called the Liberty Lake Police Department late in the morning of Oct. 3 to ask if their car had been towed from the parking lot while they were sleeping at the Quality Inn and Suites.
It hadn’t: Police had recovered the stolen car and returned it to its rightful owner.
Police discovered the stolen car at 3:40 a.m. and the owner picked it up several hours later, said Police Chief Brian Asmus.
When an officer suggested to the woman on the phone that he could meet with her and take a report about the missing car, she hung up. Police believe they have identified the woman and man who could be heard talking in the background as she was on the phone with the officer. The investigation is continuing.
On Sunday, police discovered that a mother may have left her three young children home alone overnight. The children’s father called just before 11:30 a.m. to ask that police check on the children. Officers responded to the 25000 block of East Hawkstone Loop and spoke to the oldest child, a 10-year-old boy. He reported that his mother left to go to the store the night before and never returned, Asmus said. The boy said he called and texted her repeatedly and got no response. The boy cared for his 7-year-old and 11-month-old siblings in her absence.
Officers contacted the mother, who said she had been at a casino until 2 a.m. and then came home to sleep for a few hours before returning to the casino at 7 a.m. The case has been referred to another agency, Asmus said.
Other incidents
Oct. 1: A resident in the 23000 block of East Settler Drive found a fast food bag in front of his home that contained items stolen in a vehicle prowl in Spokane Valley. The items were returned to the owner.
Oct. 2: Someone is believed to have entered a home in the 23000 block of East Valleyway and stolen more than $1,200 in property while the residents slept. A door may have been left unlocked. A home in the same block had its burglary alarm set off a little more than an hour after the first report was received. An officer found footprints leading to an open window near the garage. Nothing was taken.
Oct. 5: Police responded to multiple 911 calls in the 2400 block of North Madson Street for domestic violence. At first there was an argument and no assault. On the fourth call, however, officers arrested a woman after she reportedly threw a glass of orange juice at a man.
A vehicle prowl was reported in the 20000 block of East Deschutes Avenue and a $200 pair of prescription glasses were reported stolen. The vehicle had been left unlocked overnight.
Oct. 6: An $800 bicycle and a weed trimmer were taken from a garage in the 20000 block of East Deschutes Avenue. A garage door had been left open.
Arrests: There were five arrests for driving with a suspended license, one arrest for both driving with a suspended license and an arrest warrant, one arrest for both driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license and one arrest for driving under the influence.
Citations: Officers handed out two citations for failure to show proof of liability insurance and five for speeding. Additional citations were given for expired vehicle registration, defective windshield wipers and failure to stop at a stop light.